Chapter 159

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 159: The Past (1)

It was a Monday afternoon, pouring rain.

Though it was still early in the day, dark clouds blanketed the sky, casting the world into gloom.

“Please…”

Her clothes were completely soaked. So was her hair. But Mei Hong didn’t feel cold.

That was thanks to the warmth of her mother, who was holding her tightly.

“Please… just spare this child.”

If only her mother had taken shelter from the rain, too.

Mei Hong wished so silently—but it was a futile hope. The ones surrounding her mother wouldn’t allow such a thing.

“I beg of you…”

Figures wearing white masks painted with red demons stood encircling her mother.

The Assassins' Blade Unit.

A covert force created by the Mei Clan to eliminate enemies through dishonorable means.

Swordsmen who had buried their lives, their honor, and their deaths in the shadows—Ghost Blades.

“What crime could this child possibly have committed? Please, I beg you…”

Her mother bowed her head deeply before the Ghost Blades. Her voice trembled with sincerity. If she weren’t holding Mei Hong, she would have fallen prostrate on the ground.

“Lady.”

One of the assassins spoke. From the voice, it was a woman.

“No need to be so nervous. We, too, are of Mei Clan blood. Do you truly think we would harm a child of our own lineage?”

There was something particularly sharp and commanding about her presence.

Even young Mei Hong could tell at a glance—this woman was their leader.

“Th-thank you…”

“But Lady, I do have some doubts. Are you apologizing with full knowledge of your husband’s crimes?”

“Of… of course I know.”

“Then please, say it aloud.”

The woman cut her off coldly. Her mother looked up at her in shock.

“What crime your husband committed. How exactly he harmed the clan. Why we’ve been pursuing you. Speak it yourself, in full detail.”

Her mother’s pupils trembled. Mei Hong gripped the hem of her mother’s clothes tightly.

A crime? There was no such thing. Those people—those who hated her father—had framed him.

“T-that’s…”

Of course her mother hesitated. They were demanding she confess to crimes her husband never committed. That she, his wife, tarnish his name with her own mouth.

“Did you really come to us to apologize without even knowing what his crimes were? What sincerity could there be in such an apology? Even your desire to save your child feels insincere.”

The woman’s voice grew colder. Her mother, panicked, quickly spoke.

“H-he… he misappropriated the clan’s wealth…”

“Be more specific, please.”

Her mother’s arms around Mei Hong tightened.

“H-he stole artifacts—treasures meant to be presented to the Clan Head as tribute from conquered dungeons… And then he… he killed a fellow clansman who had caught on…”

Mei Hong looked up at her mother’s face.

She was weeping.

Of course she was. Her father wasn’t that kind of man. He was too kind. So honest it was almost foolish. So noble it bordered on naïve.

He was someone who always got the short end of the stick—yet smiled through it. Everyone loved him.

“You’re well informed, Lady. But I can’t help but feel disappointed.”

The woman leaned down, whispering into her mother’s ear.

“You filthy bitch. So you curse your husband, even knowing the truth?”

Her mother’s eyes widened. The woman sneered at her shocked expression.

“I despise women like you the most. A person should have principles. And yet you toss yours away like garbage.”

“B-but… it was you who…”

“Then tell me again. Say that your husband did nothing wrong. That everything was a setup. That the entire Mei Clan has been played.”

Her mother’s pupils shook violently—but she couldn’t say it.

She knew what would happen to Mei Hong if she did.

“If you understand his crimes so clearly, then it’s time for punishment.”

The sneer vanished from the woman’s face. In that moment, a longsword pierced Mei Hong’s mother straight through the heart.

“Ah…?”

The sword was withdrawn. Blood gushed out. Her mother’s arms fell away from Mei Hong’s body.

“Guh… khh…”

Clutching her chest in agony, she tried to stop the bleeding—but it was no use.

The woman didn’t even glance back. She calmly wiped the blood off her sword and spoke icily.

“Take the daughter. The First Son has requested her.”

One of the assassins seized Mei Hong by the wrist. She was dragged away without resistance.

“Ah… my baby…”

Her mother stretched out a blood-soaked hand. But she couldn’t reach Mei Hong, who was being pulled farther away.

Even as she was dragged by the assassins, Mei Hong never took her eyes off her mother.

Then it happened—someone grabbed her chin and forced her to turn away.

It was her—the woman who killed her mother.

“Your name was Mei Hong, right?”

The woman removed her mask. Her sharp, predatory eyes cut like blades.

“Not crying, are you? Good. You’ll need that strength. You’re about to start your descent into hell—paying the price for your parents’ sins.”

She smiled. Her eyes and lips curved like crescent moons—so twisted and revolting it made Mei Hong sick.

“Well then, let’s see how long you can survive.”

The leader of the Assassins’ Blade Unit—Mei Xiao— smiled coldly as she said it.

Mei Hong jolted upright in bed, gasping for breath, her body curled tightly under the sheets.

“A-are you okay?”

She turned to see Kwon Hudon’s anxious face beside her.

“What… what happened to Mei Xiao?”

“She left a warning for Hanul… said she’d be back soon to kill him.”

“What about me?”

Kwon Hudon fell silent. His eyes wavered.

“S-she didn’t say anything…”

“Please. Just tell me the truth.”

Normally, she’d say it with a smile—but right now, she had no room for that. It was all she could do to hold back her exploding rage.

“…She didn’t say a word.”

At that, her mind went blank. A hollowness rose from the depths of her chest.

“…Ha.”

The emptiness turned into a bitter chuckle.

“Haha…”

Mei Hong laughed for a long time. Kwon Hudon could only watch with deep concern.

“Hudon oppa… Could I be alone for a bit?”

“…Yeah.”

He quietly stepped out. Alone in the room, Mei Hong stared at the blank wall for a long time.

“…She didn’t say anything?”

There was no need to question why.

It simply meant—she was so insignificant, she wasn’t even worth mentioning.

“So I’m just that pathetic in her eyes?”

Fury surged inside her. But she also had to accept it.

When Mei Hong faced Mei Xiao… she couldn’t sense a thing.

No mana, no aura, no presence—nothing.

And that meant only one thing—

A gap so vast, it could never be closed.

“…I’ll never be able to catch up to her, will I?”

Despair clouded Mei Hong’s face.

* * *

It was the night they returned from Babel’s ship.

Just as he was about to go to bed, Kwon Hanul received a message from Kwon Seonwoo.

“I’ll tell you about your father. Come outside.”

In the end, Kwon Hanul had no choice but to take off his pajamas and change into street clothes.

He stepped out onto the deck, but Kwon Seonwoo was nowhere to be seen. All Hanul could do was spend time gazing at the dark sea.

Just then, the door leading to the cabin opened, and someone stepped out.

“Captain?”

He thought it was Kwon Seonwoo, but it was Mei Hong.

“What brings you out here this late at night?”

“I was waiting for someone.”

“Waiting?”

Mei Hong nodded. A sly smile spread across her face, as if she’d figured everything out.

“Were you planning on having a secret rendezvous with Hayun unnie or something?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Really? Doesn’t look that way to me. Come on, be honest.”

“Mei Hong.”

“I won’t tell anyone else.”

“Are you okay?”

Hanul didn’t say much, but Mei Hong’s expression stiffened, as though her true feelings had been exposed.

“…Is it that obvious?”

“It is.”

Compared to her usual self, she seemed unusually upbeat—but her eyes were dull. A clear sign that she was suppressing something.

“…Mei Xiao is my mother’s enemy.”

“I know.”

He’d heard it directly from her the day they recruited her. What Mei Xiao had done to her and her mother.

“The only reason I joined your team, Captain, was to kill that woman.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I always knew this day would come. After all, you killed the greatest Sword. As his disciple, Mei Xiao was bound to come after you.”

“That prediction turned out to be spot on.”

Kwon Hanul tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but Mei Hong’s expression didn’t change.

“But when she actually showed up… I couldn’t do a thing.”

“Well, that can’t be helped…”

“I heard it from Hudon oppa. Mei Xiao didn’t even spare me a single glance.”

Before he realized it, Mei Hong’s fists were clenched tight. Her shoulders trembled ever so slightly.

“That’s…”

He had no idea what kind of words could comfort her.

Why hadn’t Mei Xiao acknowledged her at all?

Because Mei Hong posed no threat to her.

“Being mocked would’ve been better. It would hurt less than being ignored over what happened to my mother.”

But being dismissed like this—she couldn’t bear it.

“What am I supposed to do now…?”

What hurt even more was the fact that Mei Hong could feel it in her bones—she would never surpass Mei Xiao.

“What am I supposed to do…?”

Mei Hong covered her face with both hands. Bent at the waist, she cried.

“Mei Hong.”

Hanul gently took her hands and pulled them away from her face. Her eyes were swollen and red.

“You have me.”

Her eyes widened.

“Why do you say things like that? Why are you giving in to despair? I’m right here, next to you.”

“I don’t know if I deserve it. You might not want me to, either. But…”

“Let me carry your resentment. Your vengeance—leave it to me.”

Mei Hong’s lips parted slightly. But no words came out—her mouth felt frozen.

“Will you let me?”

She slowly nodded.

“Then that’s settled.”

Hanul let go of her hands and said, “Ah, and don’t feel burdened. I’m already a target—Mei Xiao is out for my life anyway.”

He gave her a bright smile. At that, Mei Hong’s expression shifted subtly.

“Captain, wait a minute. Don’t tell me… you're just conveniently helping with my revenge since you have to fight Mei Xiao anyway?”

“That’s one way to put it.”

Mei Hong glared at him sharply. Her eyes were filled with pure, unfiltered resentment—enough to make Hanul flinch.

“Uh… should I not?”

She let out a deep sigh.

“I’m the idiot.”

“Did I say something wrong?”

“It’s fine. I’m going back in.”

She yanked open the cabin door and disappeared inside.

Left alone, Hanul stood there, blank-faced.

“So you’re finally done.”

Hanul spun around, startled. At some point, Kwon Seonwoo had appeared beside him.

“When did you get here? I didn’t sense anything at all.”

“You think a brat like you could sense me?”

Hanul grumbled internally, “Did you really have to say it like that?”

“That girl… Mei Hong, was it? Seems like she’s holding in a lot.”

“It appears so.”

“Don’t make Hayun cry.”

A completely out-of-the-blue statement. Hanul frowned and looked at him.

“What are you talking about?”

“You seem close with that girl.”

“Isn’t it good to have a close relationship with your teammates?”

Kwon Seonwoo gave him a look of utter exasperation.

“Tsk, tsk.”

“What is it now?”

“Forget it. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”

As if it wasn’t even worth explaining, Seonwoo turned his head away.

“Aren’t you angry?”

“About what?”

“Mei Xiao. She came and went, didn’t she?”

Currently, Mei Xiao was being hunted for her attack on Hyukcheon’s elite forces.

Despite that, she had appeared right before Seonwoo’s eyes. Hanul had expected him to fly into a rage.

“It’s certainly not a good feeling.”

Seonwoo stroked his chin as he spoke.

“If it were up to me, I’d chase her down and rip her to shreds. But… judging from the report you submitted, you’ve sharpened your fangs quite well.”

Despite claiming to be exhausted, she had eluded Seonwoo’s perception—and even completed geomgang.

Geomgang is the pinnacle of swordsmanship, a skill possessed only by absolute masters. Throughout the long history of hunters, those who perfected it were few and far between.

There might be fewer than five people in the entire world who could stand against Mei Xiao now.

“We’ll have to raise her threat level. I should inform Myung-woo ahead of time.”

Which is why even Kwon Seonwoo couldn’t move carelessly.

“Enough talk about that woman. We’ve got our own business to deal with.”

At those words, Hanul nodded and asked, “Please, tell me about my father—as promised.”

Seonwoo slowly walked over to the railing. Placing both hands on it, he let the night breeze wash over him.

“Yes, I should tell you. I did promise.”

He gazed out at the dark sea. Hanul waited silently, thinking he might need a moment to gather himself.

“But just telling you… wouldn’t be any fun.”

Seonwoo said this out of nowhere. The next instant, his body vanished.

A chill ran down Hanul’s spine. He spun around, crossing his arms in defense.

A straight palm strike slammed into his forearms. His body shook as he was pushed backward.

“What the hell—?!”

He didn’t even get to finish the sentence. Seonwoo was already upon him, striking with the edge of his hand.

Hanul whipped his head to the side. Seonwoo’s fingers grazed his nape.

It felt like he’d been sliced with a blade—his neck split open and blood poured out. Clutching his throat, Hanul retreated.

“Not bad. Quick reflexes.”

“What the hell are you doing?!”

“Didn’t I say just telling you would be boring?”

Seonwoo flicked the blood off his fingers as he spoke.

“I’ll watch your skills. For every attack you endure—I'll tell you something about your father.”

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]